The Pittsburgh Steelers have signed a former Dallas Cowboys star and one-time Pro Bowler to bolster their defensive depth.
On Wednesday, the Steelers announced that they have signed veteran linebacker Jaylon Smith to their practice squad. The former Cowboys standout played one game for the Las Vegas Raiders before getting released last month.
The 28-year-old was drafted in the second round (34th overall) by the Cowboys in 2016. He missed his entire rookie year recovering from a torn ACL and MCL he suffered in Notre Dame’s Fiesta Bowl game against Ohio State.
Smith broke out for the Cowboys in 2018, notching four sacks, four pass defenses, two forced fumbles and a pair of fumble recoveries. In 2019, he earned his first career Pro Bowl nod after recording 2.5 sacks, nine pass defenses, one interception and 142 combined tackles.
Smith joins an 8-7 Steelers team that kept its slim playoff hopes alive with a Week 16 blowout win over the Cincinnati Bengals at home. They are tied with the Bengals, Indianapolis Colts and Houston Texans for the AFC’s final wild card berth.
The Cowboys released Smith in the midst of the 2021 season, and he wound up signing with the rival Green Bay Packers. He appeared in two games before getting cut and joining the New York Giants, where Smith suited up for four games.
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Smith has 11 career sacks to go along with two interceptions, six forced fumbles and 21 pass defenses.
